dial indicator

[edl]

can someone please recommend a good dial indicator/magnetic base set up?

i have seen seemingly good starrett sets in the $300 - $350 range

this would be for, as an example, measuring play on rebuilding a rear bearing

thanks

 

[TigerDude]

Starrett is what I always saw in factory maintenance shops

 

[2mJps]

I have good luck with the cheap ones and thats what alot of guys i know use because of the big chance it may get danaged.

 

[Ajwcotton]

For something like measuring rear end bearing play something like an SPI will be fine. Check ENCO or MSC direct for good prices.

 

[TS3g]

If you want the best, pick an indicator from this page meeting the resolution and range you need (not the Fowlers):
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=338&PMCTLG=00

Attach it to this base:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=12387641&PMAKA=326-1359

Use promo codes DS531 and FF531 for 25% off and free shipping...happy indicating

 

[edl]

2mJps - cheap is a-ok...is there a cheap one that is still good and reliable?

 

[edl]

For something like measuring rear end bearing play something like an SPI will be fine. Check ENCO or MSC direct for good prices.

Did not know this brand thank you for the steer

 

[edl]

If you want the best, pick an indicator from this page meeting the resolution and range you need (not the Fowlers):
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=338&PMCTLG=00

Attach it to this base:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=12387641&PMAKA=326-1359

Use promo codes DS531 and FF531 for 25% off and free shipping...happy indicating

done and thank you!

 

[guy48065]

They're so simple and basic that paying more only gets you an indicator that feels a little smoother. Accuracy is identical.

 

[edl]

Thanks guy48065 - good to know...trust me...cheap is good as long as it isn't absolute garbage

as you say, accuracy is the key - no sense in trashing your bearings bc the meter is off by a few thousandths but you saved a few bucks...that math doesn't add up

 

[Air21]

Tecloc are a good affordable brand

 

[davethorik]

Don't waste your money buying SPI. they slap their name on cheap indicators and charge more. SPI stands for Swiss Precision Instruments. Must be a Switzerland in China...lol

Just buy the HF unit. They're not the nicest but will do what you need. And if you need to replace it, you aren't out a lot of money. Nothing worse than watching a $300 indicator get smashed

 

[edl]

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[anndel]

Mitutoyo or Starrett. If cheap Grizzly - it comes with the magnetic mount.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Starrett. Not sure who makes the snap on indicators but they are very nice as well.

 

[edl]

if one were to go digital and not dial, does mitutoyo outshine starrett?

 

[Adam.C]

if one were to go digital and not dial, does mitutoyo outshine starrett?

Not necessarily. Mitutoyo make great, market leading digital instruments. They're really known for it. But Starrett has caught up. They had some rough times, using Asian imported electronics a few years ago. While I have no experience with their digi indicators, I do have their calipers. The newer Starrett digi cals use Swiss electronics and are every bit as nice as my Mitutoyo. Maybe nicer.

If you are buying second hand gear, you can find a hell of a lot more Mits than Starretts. I've bought $300 indicators for as little as $50 used on eBay.

The nice thing about the digitals is how easy it is to zero them.

I also have a HF digital indicator. It's crappy, has a small screen and not to sensitive, but may be good enough for what you are doing. I think I would trust it to .002"

 

[edl]

thanks Adam - that is very helpful

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Lot's of Starrett's stuff is Chinese made anymore. Compared to several other brands, they are not very good.

I agree though, for automotive stuff, a Harbor Freight indicator will do just fine.

If you are wanting the best, Brown and Sharpe is by far a better tool than anything else out there. Unless you are doing machine work though, you won't notice really.

 

[mikegt4]

Don't waste your money buying SPI. they slap their name on cheap indicators and charge more. SPI stands for Swiss Precision Instruments. Must be a Switzerland in China...lol

Just buy the HF unit. They're not the nicest but will do what you need. And if you need to replace it, you aren't out a lot of money. Nothing worse than watching a $300 indicator get smashed

SPI was a quality product at one time (long ago). The owners of MSC and Enco bought the name and now stick it on cheap China products.

Lots of good info on this site by those who know what they are talking about.
http://www.longislandindicator.com/index.html

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Don't waste your money buying SPI. they slap their name on cheap indicators and charge more. SPI stands for Swiss Precision Instruments. Must be a Switzerland in China...lol

Just buy the HF unit. They're not the nicest but will do what you need. And if you need to replace it, you aren't out a lot of money. Nothing worse than watching a $300 indicator get smashed

That's what I have, might get used once a year.


If you can, check it against a friend with a know quality one. I tested my HF against an older Starret, and they were the same.


Of course, the only time you really need one is if some old timer wants ball joint play specs. That, or setting a diff.

 

[pilotman81]

Tecloc are a good affordable brand

 

[Adam.C]

Lot's of Starrett's stuff is Chinese made anymore. Compared to several other brands, they are not very good.

False. Starrett opened a plant in China. They make very high quality second tier tools primarily for the Asian and European markets. Some cheap bastards found great deals on new Starrett on Amazon for cheap, then reported that they got "ripped off" because the tools were made in China and didn't match the US made specs.

To be fair to the cheap bastards, Starrett used the same part numbers for both the US and Chinese made tools. But they clearly stated the spec differences.

Starrett US made tools are still among the best or the best hand tools made today.

 

[Tim37]

I have compared cheap Chinese indicators to some nicer ones (my dad was a machinist for 45 years) I don't know about long term daily use but for occasional use the chinses ones work just fine

 

[Rich.]

I use one of these and its brilliant, rebuilt quite a few diffs with it;

http://www.mitutoyo.co.uk/small-tool-instruments-and-data-management/indicators/543-401b

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I have compared cheap Chinese indicators to some nicer ones (my dad was a machinist for 45 years) I don't know about long term daily use but for occasional use the chinses ones work just fine

Accuracy wise they are typically just fine. It's long term reliability that is questionable. Most machinist I work with keep a decent quality, mitutoyo/Starrett etc in their box, and the shop owner keeps the cheap $20 units around the shop for general use. They don't last long, I find the pins inside snap off if they get banged around. Probably would last a long time if you are the only one using them.

 

[Adam.C]

I have compared cheap Chinese indicators to some nicer ones (my dad was a machinist for 45 years) I don't know about long term daily use but for occasional use the chinses ones work just fine

I had a Chinese test indicator that I thought was okay. It repeated well and calibrated fine. But it's dovetails were non standard, and wouldnt fit NOGA arms or Starrett studs.

The dial indicators can have stiff or inconsistent springs, they sometimes corrode internally and are generally disposable tools. But that said, if you are rough on tools, they can be the right choice.

I guess my point is, repeatability and calibration-ability alone aren't the sole determiners of an effective indicator.
For more than you ever wanted to know about indicators, Google "Long Island indicator" repairs. But beware, if it ain't Swiss, it's gonna get dissed.

 

[Willie Makeit]

I work for NASA as a manufacturing engineer and I can tell you that there is no shop anywhere that has more precise measuring instruments so I am quite familiar with metrology and the instruments used in this field.

With that being said, I used a harbor freight 1" travel indicator and mag base to rebuild a chevy 12 bolt less than a month ago. rear end is working fine behind a supercharged LS engine.

 

[My Old Tools]

After dicking around with SPI and watching it jump and jerk while tramming my mill, I broke down and bought an Interapid lever style. Very nice.

 

[davethorik]

After dicking around with SPI and watching it jump and jerk while tramming my mill, I broke down and bought an Interapid lever style. Very nice.

Interapid, Compac, and Swiss - made Brown & Sharpe are some of the best indicators around. Mitutoyo are very good as well, however none of these brands are inexpensive.

That's why I recommended HF, I have 2 of their 1" travel indicators I use expressly inside an enclosed cnc mill to let me know if my setup shifts during machining. they get doused in coolant and high feed milling produces insanely hot chips that stick to any plastic part, both of mine still function despite this torture. When they start to stick from coolant residue gumming them up, I spray the fast drying electronics cleaner in an aerosol can in their guts, and they're good again.

I would never do that to a high dollar indicator.

 

[guy48065]

I work for NASA as a manufacturing engineer and I can tell you that there is no shop anywhere that has more precise measuring instruments so I am quite familiar with metrology and the instruments used in this field.

With that being said, I used a harbor freight 1" travel indicator and mag base to rebuild a chevy 12 bolt less than a month ago. rear end is working fine behind a supercharged LS engine.

Working for NASA you learn where you can cut costs, and where you can't!

 

[Willie Makeit]

Working for NASA you learn where you can cut costs, and where you can't!

you have no idea.

 

[helterskelter]

Buy a used Starrett, Mitutoyo or B&S off ebay. A cheap indicator might be appropriate to measure run out of brake rotors, but I would recommend a decent one for engine work. It'll last the rest of your life and you'll pass it down some day. They're not expensive.

Also you do not want digital to start. Digital gives you a number but makes it difficult to see things like roundness and to sweep surfaces.